Personnel Committee votes 3-0 to recommend Austin for Conservation Commission

MARLBOROUGH -- January 29, 2024, Marlborough Personnel Committee recommends Elizabeth Austin for Conservation Commission seat. The committee voted 3-0 Monday to advance Mayor J. Christian Dumas's appointment of Austin, a lifelong Marlborough resident with a bachelor's degree in environmental science, to serve out departing commissioner Karen Paquin's term through May 5, 2026. Paquin is resigning effective Feb. 5 but continuing on the city's trails work. Commission Chair Ed Clancy, who said he has served roughly 55 years on the board, told the committee Austin has already been attending meetings and is "a perfect fit," adding the commission "needs new blood" as it works through an updated open space plan and the Lake Williams trail and kiosk project. Austin, who is vice chair of the Middlesex Conservation District, told councilors "adversity, it doesn't scare me." The appointment heads to the full City Council.